When you neglect a community asset for three decades, it impacts its ability to properly service everyone.
Nobody knows this better than Tyson Coonerty.
Like anyone who has used the Shepparton Sports Stadium, he is all too familiar with just how outdated it is.
Tyson can often be found playing domestic basketball during the week, and due to the limited availability of the four courts — which have not been expanded since the 1990s— he often finds himself leaving the stadium late at night, with some games scheduled to start close to 10pm.
This scheduling challenge arises from the facility’s inability to accommodate the growing enthusiasm for the sport and the increasing number of teams.
It’s frustrating enough to get to his Tatura home close to midnight with work the next day or to have one of his games cancelled because the roof leaks water onto the courts when it rains.
Thousands across our region echo Tyson’s experiences using the stadium, which people from all walks of life have pointed out throughout The News’ campaign for an upgrade.
But unlike most players, Tyson has juggled the difficulties of playing basketball at the stadium while worrying if his disabled mother is comfortable or needs assistance.
He is often cheered on by his partner, Gabby Carrasco, and mum, Kylie Young.
Kylie has seen her son win numerous grand finals and MVP awards as a player in the local leagues.
This season, she will support him alongside hundreds, sometimes thousands of other fans.
Tyson achieved his dream of becoming a Shepparton Gator, earning a player development spot and a chance to train and compete with Shepparton’s basketball elites.
Unfortunately, Kylie’s experience as a spectator at the stadium has made her question whether she will be able to see her boy don the Shepparton uniform.
“I really enjoy watching him,” Kylie said.
“I don’t get out much, and I really look forward to it.
“But I just want to feel included, not like I’m bothering people.
“If you’re not in a wheelchair, you don’t realise how difficult it is.”
Gabby helps push Kylie around the stadium and said the access ramp was steep, old and often crowded with players and kids.
“It’s hard work,” she said.
“It can take a long time getting through all the people, especially if the game is at the far end of the stadium, and the doorways can also be quite tricky to push the wheelchair over.
“If someone (in a wheelchair) tried to do it on their own, they could fall over.”
Kylie said without Gabby’s help, she probably wouldn’t be able to come to the games.
She said the disabled toilets could be far away, depending on what court the game was on, and she had experienced uncomfortable situations accessing the toilets.
“It feels like they were designed without any community consultation,” Kylie said.
“Even the disabled toilets should be a bit bigger to fit a wheelchair.
“I’ve had to keep the door open, and you don’t know if kids are going to come in.
“It can be really embarrassing.
“No-one should have to feel like that going to the bathroom.”
Kylie also said the stadium could get crowded and that there wasn’t always space for her to comfortably position and watch the game without people obstructing her view or without her feeling like she was blocking walking spaces.
This has been Kylie’s experience watching her son play casual community sport at the stadium during weekdays.
Now, her son will be representing a semi-professional team that plays at the top level of Victorian basketball on a Saturday night on the main court, with no wheelchair access to the main bleachers, which quickly fill up.
She said she didn’t know if she wanted to go through all the effort just to “feel like an inconvenience” or an afterthought.
Tyson described the situation as ridiculous and deeply upsetting.
“If she couldn’t come to my first game (as a Gator), I’d be heartbroken,” Tyson said.
“Other stadiums are awesome and fully fit for disabled people.
“To me, that’s not a multimillion-dollar fix, and someone should have done something about it by now.”
Show your support for our campaign by signing our petition at www.change.org/p/upgrade-the-shepparton-sports-stadium
Stand For Our Stadium: The story so far
Or reach out to us and have your say:
Contact details
News journalist Jay Bryce
5820 3195
@jaybrycenews on Instagram
Or The News desk at:
5831 2312